Evans/Skupski Clinch Great Britain Victory In Dramatic Davis Cup Decider

In a winner-takes-all tie between Great Britain and France, Daniel Evans and Neal Skupski delivered on Sunday in the deciding doubles match to guide Great Britain to the Davis Cup Final 8 at their opponents’ expense.

In front of an electric crowd in Manchester, Evans and Skupski saved four match points to earn a hard-fought 1-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(6) victory against Frenchmen Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

Evans and Skupski held serve from 4-5, 0/40 in the third set, before they raised their level in the third-set tie-break to triumph after two hours and 50 minutes. Evans and Skupski’s win clinched a 2-1 tie win for Great Britain.

“I don’t know how we won that match,” Skupski said. “Sheer fight. Evo produced an unbelievable performance to win in the singles then to come back and win with me. It is an unbelievable effort from him.”

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Earlier, Evans had given Great Britain a 1-0 lead in Manchester when he defeated #NextGenATP Frenchman Arthur Fils 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The World No. 27 Evans was competing in his 25th Davis Cup tie, drawing level with third-placed Andy Murray on the most played by a British player.

Ugo Humbert then levelled the tie when he downed Cameron Norrie 7-6(5), 3-6, 7-5 in two hours and 47 minutes.

Great Britain joins Group B runners-up Australia in the Davis Cup knockout rounds in Malaga in November.

Croatia Overcomes The Netherlands
Already-eliminated Croatia beat The Netherlands 2-1 in Group D in Split.

Duje Ajdukovic and Mate Pavic moved past Wesley Koolhof and Matwe Middelkoop 3-6, 6-4, 10-8 to seal a first Group D win for their country.

In the first rubber of the day, Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp beat Ajdukovic 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Borna Gojo then defeated Tallon Griekspoor 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4. The Netherlands had qualified from Group D after downing the United States and Finland.